Bishop Julia E. Whitworth issued the following announcement to clergy and diocesan leadership on Nov. 1, 2024.
Beloved of God,
I write with bittersweet news. Martha Gardner, Missioner for Networking and Formation since 2018, is retiring from the diocesan staff. Her last work day will be Friday, Dec. 6.
Martha came to her newly created position six years ago with an extensive range of experience in program coordination and training, having served for nearly eight years at the Church Pension Group in New York. In her diocesan role, she has been responsible for creating and supporting ministry partnerships and networks, as well as organizing and furthering the reach of educational, advocacy, and training events and resources, particularly as they relate to diocesan mission strategy.
During her tenure, Martha worked closely with Canon Bill Parnell. Please see his comment on her departure, and Martha's note to the diocese below.
My plan is to distribute Martha’s most active projects among existing staff, while taking time to discern the future diocesan staff structure.
Please join me and Canon Parnell in thanking Martha for her dedicated service to the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and wishing her every blessing in her retirement.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Julia E. Whitworth
Bishop Diocesan
From Canon Bill Parnell: "Martha has devoted seemingly unsurpassable energy to strengthening our networks and bringing together Christian formation ministers from around the diocese for mutual support and collaboration. More recently she has been instrumental in the founding of The St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer and has supported a new focus on global partnerships in our diocese. At the wider church level, she has chaired the Standing Commission on World Mission. I've often said that Martha's middle name is 'Network.' She has been a friend and colleague for 30 years from our days serving together in the Diocese of Newark. It has been a gift to work with her in Massachusetts over the past six years. We wish every happiness to Martha and her husband, Bill, as they make their retirement home in Asheville, N.C."
Bridget K. Wood
Martha S. Gardner
From Martha Gardner: "It has been my privilege and honor to serve here in the Diocese of Massachusetts. I can still remember the day I read about the job position in Episcopal News Service. I felt like it was describing me and a new way to offer my 20 years of professional experience in the church, and I said to myself, ‘This would be the perfect job to end my professional career.’ I am thankful to Bishop Alan for hiring me, for Canon Bill’s partnership these last six years, and for all the relationships and friendships I have made here in Massachusetts, which will remain with me forever. My only regret in the timing of my retirement is that I won’t be able to work with Bishop Julia as she begins her episcopacy here in the diocese.”